Jankovich, however, wouldn`t elaborate on details or say when the series would likely begin. With the loss of Florida and Maryland to UM`s schedules this year, a major series is good news for Hurricane fans. Penn State and Alabama turned down offers for home-and-away series this past year ... A proposal to eliminate a bowl selection date will be among 163 legislative proposals considered by NCAA Convention delegates in its 82nd meeting Jan. 10-14 at Nashville, Tenn. Jankovich says he will not support the proposal.

``I would rather see the date moved back a week later or kept the same,`` Jankovich said. ``I think it would be a foolish decision to adopt it. It opens up problems in allowing deals to be struck too early. There`s the danger you won`t end up with the best possible matchups.``

Bowl selection day, also known as pick `em day, is Nov. 21. Jankovich says UM`s schedule this season is a good example why a selection date is needed. UM figures to be 9-0 on pick `em day but plays Notre Dame and South Carolina on consecutive weeks after the date.

Johnson said earlier this year he wants a no-strings-attached offer, a stance that puts pressure on Orange Bowl officials looking to set up a national championship game for Big Eight champion Nebraska or Oklahoma. They meet Nov. 21 with the winner, likely to be ranked No. 1, earning an automatic Orange Bowl berth.

This week, Orange Bowl Selection Committee Chairman Pete Williams said it becomes more likely the Orange Bowl would offer a no-strings-attached bid as teams competing with Miami for that bid lose.

``It`s still early, but it might end up that we have no choice,`` Orange Bowl representative Stan Marks said. ``Teams have to keep winning. Teams have to play their way into our bowl, and there are plenty of important games left yet.``

The `Canes play two difficult games after pick `em day, Nov. 28 against Notre Dame and Dec. 5 against South Carolina, and that`s a concern to Orange Bowl officials.

The Orange Bowl paired down its field of challengers to five in setting up ``what if`` scenarios in a meeting of the bowl selection committee Monday. That group was trimmed to four with Auburn`s loss. The remaining challengers are UM, Notre Dame, Syracuse and Florida State.

BRATTON CAPTURES TOUCHDOWN RECORD

Hurricane fullback Melvin Bratton`s 35-yard touchdown reception from Steve Walsh in the third quarter made him the school`s career touchdown leader with 26. He came into the game tied with Alonzo Highsmith and Eddie Dunn. He made it 27 with a 1-yard score in the fouth quarter ... Irvin`s first quarter reception marked the 29th straight game in which he has caught a pass. The school record is 31, set by Larry Brodsky (1979-81). Irvin`s 13-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter was the 24th of his career.

HOLDER WILL UNDERGO SURGERY TODAY

Hurricane center Rod Holder, who injured his left knee in the first half, was taken to Doctor`s Hospital where he will undergo arthroscopic surgery today. How long he will be out of action was not immediately known.